CSKA Classics: Cardiff Northern OB 2-3 CSKA (02/10/2011)

Welcome to a new series we'll be doing as part of the new website where we take a look at some classic encounters from down the years. The first of these is the clash between Cardiff Northern OB and CSKA back on 2nd October, 2011 at Sevenoaks Park.

It was the debut season of CSKA Sophia Gardens in the Lazarou Cardiff Sunday Football League with the club placed in Division 3. The previous five games of the season had delivered mixed results with 2 wins and 3 defeats. This sixth match of the season was putting CSKA against an experienced Cardiff Northern OB side that had graced the local Sunday League scene for years before.

CSKA were keen to start the game on a positive footing having conceded three early goals in a 3-1 loss to Real Cardiff the week before. The team could not have hoped for a better start with Ceri Jones being played in behind the Cardiff Northern defence before slotting home a cool shot to make it 1-0.

Nick Brown was also denied a goal that would have doubled the lead when his strike was spectacularly saved by the opposition keeper. It was only delaying the inevitable. As CSKA continued to stamp their authority on the game, a corner from Dan Clayton found the head of Rhys Griffiths who converted the set-piece to put CSKA 2-0 up within the first 20 minutes. It was a stunning start to proceedings.

That second goal appeared to awaken the beast as Cardiff Northern started to click into gear. Cardiff Northern started to use their physical advantage over CSKA and after riding their luck a couple of times, with the ball hitting the woodwork a couple of times including one after an impressive save from Craig Jones in the CSKA goal, the defensive line was breached just before half-time with Cardiff Northern pulling the score back to 2-1.

The CSKA defensive unit of Alfie Ranalli, Rob Francis, Jordan Lloyd, and Michael Peach defended their goal valliantly as Cardiff Northern continued their aerial assault in the second half. A hard-working effort from the midfield and pressing from the attackers made it hard for Cardiff Northern to get that equaliser.

Unfortunately, that equaliser eventually came late on. It had a huge feeling of injustice about it. Cardiff Northern had seen a goal rightly ruled out moments earlier for a handball. The referee then made an error by giving them a corner despite the ball clearly coming off their winger. It was from this corner that Cardiff Northern scored to make it 2-2.

A triple substitution of Mike Christopher on for Brown, Sajan Miah on for the injured Griffiths, and Matt Wright on for Dan Clayton was made to add some energy onto the pitch not long before the equaliser had been conceded. It would be one of those subs that would step up and become the hero CSKA needed.

Keeper Jones put his name into CSKA folklore by pulling off a double save that saw him fracture his thumb and also stop a Cardiff Northern striker in his tracks as it looked like he might make it 3-2. That saw Jones also dislocate his shoulder.

Centre back Lloyd also pulled off a superb goal-line clearance via an audacious bicycle kick that also meant the game remained level. It felt like the game was only going to end one way with the clock ticking down.

As the minutes ticked away, CSKA found an opening. Christopher played in striker Jones for a one-on-one to seal a shock win against the momentum of the game but Jones saw his shot just scrape past the post. The CSKA players thought their chance to steal the victory at the death had gone. Christopher had other ideas.

Almost immediately after Jones's missed opportunity, it was Jones who turned provider as he played Christopher in for a one-on-one. This time, Christopher didn't miss. A calm shot from the right side of the area was hit across goal and into the bottom left corner of the Cardiff Northern net to give CSKA the 3-2 lead with seconds remaining. Cue the wild celebrations as the final whistle blew to give CSKA their first classic victory of their young existence.

CSKA Line-Up

GK: Craig Jones

DR: Rob Francis

DL: Alfie Ranalli

DC: Jordan Lloyd

DC: Michael Peach

MR: Rhys Griffiths

ML: Rhys Padarn

MC: Andy Hayes (c)

MC: Dan Clayton

FC: Ceri Jones

FC: Nick Brown

Subs: Matt Wright, Mike Christopher, and Sajan Miah